Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 1 (HBTV): A sandalwood tree worth lakhs of rupees was stolen from the official residence of the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) Vice-Chancellor in Lucknow, despite security arrangements being in place.

KGMU spokesperson KK Singh said the 50-year-old tree was cut down and taken away by thieves. The residence, located within the campus, is currently unoccupied.

An FIR has been lodged, and CCTV footage has been handed over to the police. The incident is also being investigated under the Forest Act.

Speaking to ANI, KK Singh said, 'The Vice-Chancellor’s residence is inside our campus, but he currently lives in his private house in Nirala Nagar. So, the campus house is vacant, though guards and basic staff stay there. A few days ago, we found out that a very old sandalwood tree at the residence was cut down, and the wood was stolen. It’s shocking because the building is considered secure and has guards. We have collected CCTV footage and handed it over to the police. The tree was about 50 years old and worth lakhs. We’ve also informed the Forest Department, as sandalwood trees are protected under the Forest Act. We were told that this type of wood cannot be sold legally, and its value is set by the government.'

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, one person accused in a robbery case worth INR 1.5 crore was injured in an encounter with police in Ghaziabad’s Kavi Nagar area, according to Ghaziabad ACP Bhaskar Verma.

The incident was reported during the intervening night of June 29 and 30, when police, conducting checks at the Diamond Tiraha, noticed a suspicious four-wheeler approaching.

As police tried to stop the car, it collided with a tree. The accused attempted to flee and opened fire at the officers. In retaliatory fire, the accused was injured.

(ANI)